Means for producing tapered yarn packages



Jan. 26, 1960 Q HOPE MEANS FOR PRODUCING TAPERED YARN PACKAGES 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 12, 1956 INVENTORI ORV/LLE L. ,Uo e

ATTORNEYS Jan. 26, 1960 e. L. HOPE 2,922,591

MEANS FOR PRODUCING TAPERED YARN PACKAGES Filed'April 12, 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 OQV/LLE L Ho s- .FlZF 2 INVENTOR- ATTORNEYS Jan. 26, 1960 0.1.. HOPE MEANS FOR PRODUCING TAPERED YARN PACKAGES 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed April 12, 1956 /fl/ZV/ v www ATTORNEYS Jan. 26, 1960 o. L. HOPE 2,922,591

MEANS FOR PRODUCING TAPERED YARN PACKAGES Filed April 12, 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 llgll.

CTEICAL S'rop MOTION ATTORNEYS INVENTOR m ORV/1.1.5 L. Ho e Unite States Patent MEANS FOR PRODUCING TAPERED YARN PACKAGES Orville L. Hope, Gastonia, N.C., assignor of twenty percent to David Floyd Westmoreland and twenty percent to Charles H. Marcotte, both of Charlotte, N.C.

Application April 12, 1956, Serial No. 577,722

12 Claims. (Cl. 242-463) This invention generally relates to the art of building yarn packages wherein traveler-supporting rings and travelers are used as in spinning machines, twister machines and analogous machines. For convenience all machines in this category will be hereinafter included in the term twister machines.

As is well known, builder motions for operating the traversing rails of twister machines include a pivoted builder arm provided with a member, adjustable about its own axis or lengthwise of said arm, to change the length of traverse of the rail. Improvements have been made in such builder motions for producing adjusting movements of said member in opposite directions so that successive traverses of the ring rail may be stepped down or shortened by relatively short distances until a certain minimum length of traverse is reached. Thereafter, the traverses have been increased or lengthened by relatively short distances until the traverse extends the entire length of the yarn package or body to thereby form a tapered upper end to the yarn package. A builder motion of this character is disclosed in US. Patent No. 2,295,724 issued to Sven E. Edfors on September 15, 1942.

As disclosed in said patent, each stroke of the ring rail is shortened or lengthened, as the case may be, only in the upper portion of the traverse of the ring rail and, accordingly, it has been necessary to stop the machine, either automatically or manually, at the end of each build; that is, when the building of the thread bodies or packages has been completed, to facilitate the dofiing and donning operations. In many instances, it has also been necessary to return the adjustable member to a predetermined position before the machine could be started for the winding of yarn or thread onto empty bobbins or yarn carriers.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a method of controlling relative traversing movements between a ring rail and a spindle rail such as to permit continued uninterrupted operation of the twister machine while dofiing and donning operations are performed at random and wherein each dotfed yarn package is complete and has a tapered upper end.

It is another object of this invention to provide an improved method of and apparatus for building yarn packages wherein yarn is traversed on cores or carriers and built up in layers of substantially uniform or slightly varying length, each of which layers is of substantially lesser length than the overall length of the desired package with the layers being progressively stepped or shogged in opposite directions so adjacent layers are relatively off-set to form a substantially greater number -of turns of yarn at the longitudinal central portion of a yarn carrier as compared to opposite end portions thereof whereby opposite end portions of the yarn package are tapered, thus facilitating the dofiing and donning of bobbins on a twisting machine at any time without interrupting operation of the machine.

It is another object of this invention to provide apparatus for forming yarn packages, according to the method 'ice described, for use in conjunction with twisting machines, comprising a builder motion and controlling apparatus therefor embodying means for imparting strokes to a ring rail in each of opposite directions parallel to the axis of the yarn package being formed, which strokes are each of substantially lesser length than the length of the package desired to be formed, while progressively varying the range of movement of the ring rail relative to the yarn package first in one direction for a plurality of strokes and then in the other direction for a plurality of strokes and repeating this cycle indefinitely so that, although other packages may not be completely formed, upon any one package being completely formed, the package may be dotted and a new bobbin or' yarn carrier positioned on the spindle without stopping the machine. In spite of this, all packages formed on any one machine may be of uniform size and shape with at least one end of each yarn package being tapered so the layers, turns or coils of yarn thereon may be withdrawn without slufling off during such withdrawal.

Since opposite end portions of each yarn package are provided with a lesser number of convolution's, turns or coils of yarn than is its medial portion, it is desirable that yarn carriers or bobbins of the type which are tapered adjacent the bases thereof be used so that, with the exception of one end of the package being tapered, the remainder of the package will be of substantially uniform diameter throughout its length.

It is another object of this invention to provide a builder motion and a controlling apparatus therefor of such nature that yarn packages of uniform size and shape can be built automatically during continuous uninterrupted operation of the corresponding spinning or twisting machine.

It is still another object of this invention toprovide an apparatus of the character last described including means to automatically part the yarn between its source and each package being formed upon the corresponding package being built up to a predetermined diameter thereby insuring the formation of yarn packages of maximum and uniform diameter and minimizing the extent to which each machine must be attended, so a single attendant may operate a substantially larger number of twister machines than has heretofore been possible, while still maintaining a high rate of production.

This invention is a continuation-in-part of my copending application, Ser. No. 577,721, filed of even date and entitled, Package Size Control and Method.

Some of the objects of the invention having been stated, other objects will appear as the description proceeds when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which-- Figure 1 is a somewhat schematic side elevation of a portion of a spinning or similar machine, adjacent the head end thereof, and showing the improved builder motion applied thereto; v

Figure 2 is a transverse vertical sectional view through the machine shown in Figure 1, illustrating parts of the builder motion;

Figure 3 is a schematic wiring diagram;

Figure 4 is a plan view of the builder arm and associated parts, partially in section, taken substantially along line 44 in Figure 2;

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary elevation of the outer or front end of the builder mechanism taken substantially along line 5-5 in Figure 2;

Figure 6 is a view of a portion of a yarn carrier or bobbin showing, schematically, how layers of yarn of substantially constant length, less than the length'of the yarn carrier or package to be formed, are deposited on the yarn carrier or package in axially stepped relationship so a greater number of convolutions of yarn are present in medial portions of the package as compared to opposite end portions of the package;

Figure 7 is a longitudinal sectional view through a yarn carrier or bobbin provided with a tapered or stepped bottomportion adjacent the base thereof and illustrating the configuration of a package formed on such a bobbin by the improved builder motion;

Figure 8 is in an enlarged fragmentary plan view of a portion of the ring rail taken substantially along line 88 in Figure 1, showing a pair of ring holders and ringsthereon, but omitting the ring holder and ring from one of the openings therefor to show the configuration of the opening for accommodating means to automatically part the yarn between its source and the corresponding package, or to energize a warning s gnal or operate a stop motion for the machine upon completion of the formation of a yarn package of the desired size;

Figure 9 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken substantially along line 9-9 in Figure 8 showing, schematically, an electrical circuit in association therewith;

t Figure 10 is a fragmentary inverted plan view, partially in section, looking substantially along line ill-Ill in Figur 9;

Figure 11 is a fragmentary sectional view'similar to the right-hand portion of Figure 9, but showing how a filled yarn carrier moves an actuator outwardly to, in turn, move an abutment into the path of the traveler or yarn;

Figure 12 is an inverted plan view, partially in section, taken substantially along line 12121 in Figure 11 and being similar to Figure 10, but showing the actuator in a different position from that of Figure 10;

Figure 13 is a fragmentary elevation taken substantially along line 13-13 in Figure 9.

Referring more specifically to the drawings and, particularly to Figures 1 and 2, the machine shown comprises a spindle rail 10, one end of which is connected to a head end frame member 11. The spindle rail 10 carries a series of spindles which are driven to rotate by conventional means, not shown, and which are adapted to support bobbins, cores or other yarn carriers on which the yarn is wound. In this instance, it is preferred that a bobbin of the character shown and indicated'at B in Figures 6 and 7.is used, because of the novel manner'in which successive layers of yarn are wound thereonf In this instance, the bobbin B comprises an elongated hollow body or stem 15 having a tapered lower portion 16 which is preferably stepped as shown in Figures 6 and 7 and whose lower end is formed integral with a base 17.

Each of the spindles 12, and corresponding bobbins B extends through a ring holder and ring respectively designated at 20 and 21 and carried by a vertically traversing ring rail 22 or other ring-carrying means. Yarn Y is drawn from a suitable source, not shown, and is directed to each corresponding yarn carrier through a conventional ring traveler 23 carried by the corresponding ring 21. The ring rail 22 and the ring holders Ztlare preferably of the type shown in Figures 8 through 13 to accommodate automatic means for partingthe yarn, stopping the machine or actuating a warning device as will be more fully described hereinafter.

' The ring rail 22 is supported upon conventional lifter rods 25, only one of which is shown in Figures 1 and 2. The lower end of each lifter rod 25 rests upon a roller 26 carried by a conventional lifter arm 27 secured to a rock shaft 30 to which is fastened another arm 3i. The rock shaft 30 is iournaled in a bracket 32 depending from the spindle rail 10. The lifter arm 27 is provided with a weight 33 which, with other similar weights, not shown, normally urges the ring rail 22 upwardly, as is conventional. The length of each vertical stroke of the ring rail 22 iscontrolled by a builder mechanism broadly designated at 35. Most of the parts of the builder mechanism or assembly 35 are essentially like those commonly used in spinning and twister machines and such parts will first be described. p

The builder mechanism shown is of a type substantially (Figure l) to the arm 31.

as shown in US. Patent No. 1,119,310, to H. W. Owen, issued December 1, 1914, although the features of the present invention may be applied to other types of builder mechanisms, such as that disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 1,695,713 to I. H. Laliberte, issued December 18, 1928, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In this instance, the builder mechanism 35 comprises a primm'y builder arm as whose right-hand or rear end in Figure 2 is pivotally mounted on a stub shaft 37 suitably secured to the head frame member 11. A lower medial portion of the builder arm 36 carries an adjustable pitrnan roll or follower 4b which cooperates with a cam 41 fixed on a driven shaft 44 jcurnaled in the head end frame member 11. T he means for driving the shaft 44 and cam il are well known in the art and need not be described. The upper portion of the builder arm 36 is provided with a curved guideway in which an adjustable member, in the form of a slide or rack .23, slfdably adjustable along said guideway is provided. Rack 43 is adjusted by means of a worm 45 which meshes with the rack 43 and is fixed on a worm shaft 46 journaled in a lower forward portion of the builder arm as and extending outwardly therefrom. The nucleus of the present invention resides in the 1 cans for driving the worm shaft 46 and its worm 45 and the control means therefor, which will be later described in detail.

The inner or rear portion of rack 43 has an outwardly projecting follower or roller 47 thereon which bears against a curved bearing surface 51 provided on a medial portion of a stroke-determining lever 51. The lever 51 is also pivotally mounted on the stub shaft 37. One end of. a chain or pliable element 5'2 is connected to the free or forward end of the lever 51, as at 53. It will be observed in Figures 1 and 2 that the chain 52 extends upwardly and passes over a suitable guide means embodied in a roll or wheel 55 fixed on a-shaft S6 journaled in a bracket 57 carried by a fixed part of the machine such as the head frame member 11.

Some types of builder motions are provided with a worm-driven chain drum in addition to, or in lieu of, the rack 43, to which the chain 52 may be connected without departing from the spirit of the invention. A

builder motion of this type is described in said US.

Patent No. 1,695,713.

'The other end of the chain 52 is connected, as at 61) i It is thus seen that the follower 47 determines the length of reciprocatory strokes imparted to the ring rail 22. In other words, the weights 33 (Figure 1') maintain the curved bearing surface 50 of the lever 51 in engagement with the follower 4-7 on the rack 43 which, in turn, maintains the pitman roll 40 in engagement with the cam 41.

Accordingly, with downward movement of the pitman roll 4i), as effected by movement of the high surface of the cam 41 into engagement therewith, the follower 47 imparts corresponding movement to the lever 51 and the corresponding end of the chain 52. In so doing, the chain 52 moves the arm 31 and lever 27 in a counterclockwise direction, to substantially the position shown in Figure 1, to correspondingly lower the ring rail 22. On the other hand, as the low surface of the cam 41 moves toward the pitman roll 40 and into engagement therewith, the weights 33 maintain the pitman roll 40 in engagement with the cam 41, and the surface 50 of lever 51 in engagement with the follower 47, to thereby raise the ring rail 22 to the extent permitted by the follower 47 and the pitman roll 4d.

The operation of the builder motion as heretofore described is conventional. In some types of builder motions, the chain or pliable element, such as 52, is attached to the rack, such as rack 43, and a lever and follower, such as 51 and d7 inFigure 2, are then omitted. However, in either instance, the position of the rack 43 relative to the builder arm 36, as well as the depth of the curved surface 50 which engages roller 47, determines the extent of traverse of the ring rail 22 with each stroke thereof while the cam 41, in cooperation with the pitman roll 40, determines the length 'of each stroke of the ring rail. As is well known, the relative positions of the pitman roll 40 and the follower 47 also result in variations in the length of traverse of the ring rail 22. It is contemplated that the ring rail may remain stationary while the spindle rail traverses.

Now, heretofore, in using builder motions of the general character described, or any other types of builder motions, it has been necessary to stop the machine, doff all filled bobbins or yarn carriers, replace them with empty bobbins and then re-start the machine. This has been necessary because, at the time of starting the machine, the builder motion functions to initiate a predetermined cycle in traversing movement of the ring rail. In some instances, the ring rail 22 would start its vertically reciprocable movement adjacent the lower portions of the bobbins or yarn carriers and would traverse a substantial part of the length of each bobbin, but not the range of the entire length of the package of yarn to be formed and, as the ring rail was subsequently normally traversed, it was gradually raised through the action of the builder motion to form a tapered upper end on the yarn package to complete a cycle in its operation. Upon completion of this cycle, all of the yarn packages were to have been completed and it has then been necessary to wind back the builder motion preparatory to a repeat cycle.

In other instances, the builder motions heretofore in use have functioned to initially traverse the entire length of the bobbin or the length of the range of the desired package to be formed on the yarn carrier and the traverse of the ring rail was then gradually decreased. That is, the vertical strokes of the ring rail were gradually shortened at both ends so as to provide a greater number of convolutions of yarn at medial portions of the yarn packages than were present at opposite end portions of the package, so the package was then tapered at both ends thereof upon the completion of each successive cycle in the conventional types of builder motions. Here again, it has been necessary to wind back the builder motion, following each cycle thereof, before the machine has been started following the dofling and donning operations.

This returning of the traversing ring rail to the position for starting fresh yarn packages as accomplished by winding back builder motions of the type heretofore in use, has necessarily resulted in decreased production as compared to the productive capabilities of twister machines in the event that such machines could be operated continuously. Also, in the event of the yarn being fed to any one of the yarn packages becoming parted during the cycles in operation of the builder motions, the interval which would transpire from the time of such parting of the yarn until the piecing of the yarn ends would result in that particular yarn package having a lesser amount of yarn therein than that in others of the yarn packages formed on the same machine.

In order to overcome these defects and to permit the dofiing of individual filled bobbins or yarn carriers without stopping the machine, regardless of the amount of yarn on others of the yarn carriers, novel means are provided for automatically and repeatedly stepping the ring rail 22 a plurality of times in one direction and then in the other direction during the course of the building operations so as to provide a yarn package having at least one end thereof tapered as shown in Figures 6 and 7 and wherein the starting of the wind on any bobbin or yarn carrier may be effected at any time regardless of the position of the adjustable member, such as rack 43 in Figure 2.

To this end, it will be observed in Figures 1, 2, 4 and 5 that the front end of the worm shaft 46 has a pair of pick wheels or ratchet wheels 65, 66 fixed thereon which may be respectively termed as rail step-down and step-up ratchet wheels or pick wheels. The hub of a pawl-carrying arm 67 is loosely mounted on the worm shaft 46 between the builder arm 36 and the step-up ratchet wheel 66. A medial portion of the pawl-carrying arm 67 has a stud or bolt 70 fixed thereto and projecting outwardly therefrom on which a pawl hub 72 is oscillatably mounted. The pawl hub has a pair of offset and oppositely directed ratchet pawls 73, 74 attached thereto, or formed integral therewith, which may be respectively termed as rail step-down and step-up pawls. These pawls 73, 74 are adapted to be alternatively moved into engagement with the respective ratchet wheels 65, 66 by automatic means to be later described.

In order to alternately retain the pawls 73, 74 in engagement with the respective ratchet wheels 65, 66 under yieldable pressure, the hub 72 has a pointed projection or cam portion 75 thereon which is engaged by a detent 76, shown in the form of a ball in Figure 5, which is urged against a seat formed in the restricted end of a bore 77 by means of a compression spring 80. The bore '77 is formed in a threaded shaft 81 which is threaded into an enlarged portion 82 on the outer end of the pawlcarrying arm 67. It will be noted that the detent 76 maintains pressure against the upper surface of the cam portion 75 of the hub 72 when the ratchet pawl 74 is in operative position and the pawl 73 is in inoperative position. On the other hand, when the pawl 73 is moved into operative position and the pawl 74 is moved in inoperative position, the lower surface of the cam portion 75 is then engaged by the detent 76 so the detent 76 serves as a snap-lock.

The upper and lower surfaces of the enlarged portion 32 of the pawl-carrying arm 67 have respective solenoids 85, 86 attached thereto from which respective plungers 87, 88 extend. The free ends of the plungers 87, 88 being connected, as at 90, to medial portions of the respective ratchet pawls 73, 74. When the coil of solenoid 85 is energized, the ratchet pawls 73, 74 are moved to the position shown in Figure 5 and, conversely, when the coil of solenoid 86 is energized, the ratchet pawl 73 is moved into operative position as the ratchet pawl 74 is moved to inoperative position. Thus, the solenoids 85, 86 serve as electro-magnetically actuated means to control operation of the pawl and ratchet mechanism including pawls '73, 74 and ratchet wheels 65, 66.

In order to impart movement to the pawl-carrying arm 67 and the ratchet pawls 73, 74 for racking the respective ratchet wheels 65, 66 with reciprocation of the builder arm 36, the shaft 81 extends outwardly beyond the enlarged portion 82 of the pawl-carrying arm 67 and has the lower end of a link or rod 92 connected thereto. The link 92 extends upwardly and loosely penetrates a fixed part of the frame of the machine which is shown in the form of a projection 93 extending from the spindle rail 16 in Figure 10. The projection 93 serves as an abutment which is alternately engaged by a pair of spaced collars or projections 94, mounted on the link or connecting rod 92.

It is apparent that, with each upward stroke of the builder arm 36, the collar 95 engages the lower surface of the projection 93 to impart downward movement to the pawl-carrying arm 67 and, conversely, with each downward movement of the builder arm 36, the collar 94 engages the upper surface of the projection 93 to impart upward movement to the pawl-carrying arm 67 relative to the ratchet wheels 65, 66 to thereby impart a step in rotation to the ratchet wheels 65, 66 which is then engaged by its corresponding ratchet pawl. The collars 94, 95 are preferably adjustably mounted on the rod or link 92 in order to permit adjustment of the efiective strokes imparted to the ratchet pawls 73, 74 and to thereby determine the extent to which rotation is imparted to the worm shaft 46 and its worm 45 with each reciprocation of the builder arm 36. It is also apparent that rotation of the worm shaft '46 in a clockwise direction in Figures 1 and moves the rack 43 from right to left in Figure 2 and rotation of the shaft 46 in a counterclockwise direction in Figures 1 and 5 moves the rack 43 from left to right in Figure Q.

Now, in order to automatically control the intervals in which rotation is imparted to the worm shaft 46 in either direction by the ratchet pawls 73, 74 and ratchet wheels 65, 66, it will be observed that the rack 43 has a switch-engaging projection 100 thereon which overlies a curved upper surface 101 on the upper portion of the builder arm 36, the latter curved upper surface conforming generally to the configuration of the guideway 42. The projection 100 on the rack 43 is adapted to alternately engage and actuate a pair of spaced control elements illustrated as normally open push-button switches 102, 103, which determine the extent of movement of the rack 43 in opposite directions. In other words, when the switch 102 is engaged by the projection 100, this closes a circuit to the coil of solenoid 86 to move the ratchet pawl 73 into engagement with the ratchet wheel 65 while moving the ratchet pawl 74 out of engagement with the ratchet wheel 66. It is apparent that this initiates movement of the rack 43 from right to left in Figure 2 until the projection 100 engages and closes the switch 103. The switch 103 is interposed in a circuit to the coil of solenoid 85 and, upon energization thereof, the ratchet pawl 74 is moved into engagement with the ratchet wheel 66 as the ratchet pawl 73 is moved out of engagement with the ratchet wheel 65, toeifect movement of the rack 43 from left to right in Figure 2.

Now, the switches 102, 103 are adjustably mounted on the curved surface 101 of the builder arm 36 in order to determine the extent to which the ring rail 22 is stepped upward and stepped downward during the course of its traversing movement as effected by the cam 41, the pitman roll 40, the builder arm 36, the lever 51, follower 47 and other intervening connections. To this end, the switches 102, 103, which are shown in the form of well known microswitches, are attached to respective substantially L-shaped brackets 105, 106 whose substantially horizontal legs are provided with respective adjustment slots 107, 108 (Figure 4) which are penetrated by respective screws 111, 112 for adjustably securing the substantially horizontal legs of the brackets 105, 106 to the curved upper surface 101 of the main builder arm 36.

Referring to Figure 3, it will be observed that corresponding sides of switches 102, 103 are connected to opposite ends of a conductor 115 and the other sides of the switches 102, 103 are connected to respective conductors 116, 117 which lead to the respective solenoids 86, 85. The other sides of the solenoids 05, 86 are connected to opposite ends of a conductor 120. Lead wires or conductors 121, 122 are connected to medial portions of the respective conductors 115, 120 and lead to a suitable source of current as embodied in a plug 123. The lead wire 122 preferably has a master switch 1'24 interposed therein.

It is thus seen that, upon switch 102 being closed by projection 100 on the rack 43, current flows from lead wire 121, through conductor 115, switch 102, conductor 116, the coil of solenoid 86, conductor 1'20 and lead wire 122 to energize the coil of solenoid 86 and to there by move the pawl '73 into engagement with the ratchet wheel 65 and to thereby automatically initiate movement of the rack 43 from right to left in Figure 2. Although the switch 102 is only closed momentarily, the detent '76, in cooperation with the cam or pointed portion 75 on the pawl hub 72, resiliently maintains the pawls 73, '74 in the position to which they are moved by energization of the coil of solenoid 86.

Of course, when the rack d3 has moved sufiiciently to the left in Figure 2 to cause the projection 100 thereon to engage and close switch 103, current then flows from lead wire 121, through conductor 115, switch 103, conductor 117, the coil of solenoid 85, conductor 120 and lead wire 122 to energize the coil of solenoid 8S and to thereby move the ratchet pawls 73, 74 to the position shown in Figure 5. Here again, although the switch 103 is closed only momentarily, the cam or pointed portion 75 on the pawl hub 72 and the detent 76 retain the pawls '73, 74 in the position to which they are moved by energization of the coil of solenoid 85. Although the pawls 73, 74 are electrically controlled in the present embodiment of the invention, it is contemplated that they may be mechanically controlled within the scope of the present invention.

Referring to the schematic illustration of a few of the layers of yarn shown in Figure 6, it is apparent that the length of each upward and each downward stroke of the rin rail may be substantially the same or vary only slightly, but such strokes are substantially less than the length of the desired package. In this instance, several layers of yarn, such as are indicated at L1, are formed by gradually stepping down the ring rail, this stepping down being effected by movement of the rack 43 from right to left in Figure 2. Such movement of the rack 43 is imparted thereto by the pawl 73 occupying operative position.

After the ring rail 22 has been stepped down a suflicient number of times to produce the desired length of package, a plurality of layers, such as are indicated at L4 in Figure 6, are deposited on the yarn package or bobbin B, as the switch 103 is engaged and closed by the projection 100 on the rack 43, so the ring rail 22 is then stepped upward until the projection 100 engages and closes the switch 102 in the manner heretofore described. This is repeated, without interruption, as long as the corresponding machine is in operation, so that layers similar to the layers L-1, L2 are repeatedly wound on the bobbin B until the bobbin B is filled with yarn and the package, indicated at P in Figure 7, is thus completed.

The layers L-1, L-Z are shown spaced apart and are necessarily disposed in exaggerated relationship for the purpose of clarity. However, the length of each layer of yarn and the corresponding length of traverse of the ring rail 22 with each stroke thereof may be varied by merely varying the configuration and size of the cam 41 (Figure 2) and the size of each step of the ring rail and consequently, the number of steps that the ring rail is moved in each direction during each cycle, may be predetermined by adjustment of the collars 94, on the rod 92 (Figure 2) and by relatively adjusting the switches 102, 103 relative to the curved upper surface 101 on the builder arm 36. Thus, anyone skilled in the art can readily make the desired adjustments in the elements last described for producing the desired taper at the upper end of the package P and for determining the length of each stroke of the ring rail and the number of steps imparted to the ring rail which may be required to produce a straight bottom portion to the package P wound on a bobbin having a tapered lower portion such as that indicated at 16 in Figures 6 and 7.

It is apparent that the dofiing of filled individual bobbins and replacement thereof with empty bobbins may be carried out at any time during continuous uninterrupted operation of the machine regardless of the amount of yarn which may be present on any othersof the bobbins on the particular machine. Accordingly, means are pro vided to automatically part the yarn fed to any one of the yarn packages which has become completed and/or to energize a warning signal to indicate that a particular bobbin has become filled with yarn to complete a package of the desired diameter or to actuate an automatic stop motion for the machine upon a particular one of the bobbins on the machine becoming filled with yarn.

To this end, I utilize apparatus of a type disclosed in my copending application filed of even date and entitled, Package Size Control and Method. One form of such apparatus is shown in Figures 8 through 13 wherein it will be observed that the ring holders 20 are generally of conventional construction, but the annular walls or reduced portions thereof, indicated at 20a, the flanges 20b thereon and each of the openings 22a in the ring rail 22 for receiving corresponding annular portions 20a, are especially formed to accommodate the improved package size control apparatus.

Now, the package size control apparatus comprises an actuator 126, in the form of a relatively small arcuate or segmental plate, loosely positioned in an opening 125 formed in the annular wall or reduced portion 20:: of the ring holder 20. The curvature of at least the inner surface of the actuator 126 preferably substantially conforms to the curvature of the inner periphery of the ring holder 20. The actuator 126 may be pivotally connected to the ring holder on an axis substantially parallel with the axis of the ring holder 20, by any suitable means, and may also be biased inwardly a predetermined amount by any suitable means. However, in the present instance, both the pivotal connection for the actuator 126 and the means to bias or resiliently urge the same inwardly are combined by using a leaf-spring member 130 which is suitably secured to the outer surface of the reduced annular portion 20a of the ring holder 20 adjacent the rear edge of the opening 125 with respect to the direction of rotation of the package P and yarn carrier or bobbin B. The forward portion of spring 130 is attached to the outer surface of the actuator or plate 126, the leafspring member 130 being inherently biased inwardly relative to the ring holder 20 to thereby normally urge the free forward end of the plate or actuator 126 inwardly so that its inner foremost edge 'is disposed inwardly of the inner surface of the annular ring holder 20, as shown in Figures 8, 9 and 10.

It will be observed in Figures 8, 9 and 10 that the yarn package P is in the process of being formed or wound and has not reached its filled diameter. On the other hand, it will be observed in Figures 11 and 12 that the yarn package P has reached a diameter substantially the same as that of the inner periphery of the annular ring holder and, in so doing, the periphery of, the yarn package P has engaged and moved the actuator 126 outwardly in opposition to the spring 130. There are many diiferent types of mechanisms or devices which may be operated under control of the actuator 126 and, in Figures 8 through 13, the actuator 126 is used for the dual purpose of actuating or closing a switch 131 and actuating an interrupter element 132.

The switch 131 may be of conventional construction and the housing thereof is suitably-secured to the lower surface of the ring rail 22, as by screws 133. The switch 131 has a push-button 134 thereon which is normally urged outwardly by conventional means, not shown, in engagement with a switch arm 135 pivotally connected to the housing of the switch 131 and urged into engagement with a link 136 connected to and extending outwardly from the outer surface of the actuator or plate 126, as by a screw 137.

The outer end of the link 136 is loosely penetrated by a pin or screw 140 which extends upwardly and is connected to the lower end of a lever 141.. A medial portion of lever 141 is fulcrumed on a shaft or rod 142 which spans a notch 143 formed in the outer periphery of the flange 201: on the upper portion of the ring; holder 20. The rod or pin 142 is suitably secured to the outer surface of said flange 20b, as by screws 144 (Figure 13). The notch 143 is provided to accommodate the lever 141. The abutment or interrupter 132 is shown in the form of an adjustment screw in Figures 8, 9 and 11 and 13 and is threaded through the upper portion of lever 141 and secured in the desired adjusted position by a lock nut 145. It will be noted that the abutment 132 is positioned on substantially the same level as the upper portion of the spinning ring 21 so that, upon be ng moved 10 inwardly from the position of Figure 9 to that of Figure 11, the abutment or interrupter 132 moves into the path of the traveler 23 to stop movement of the traveler and thereby break the yarn Y.

In many instances, the interrupter 132 may dislodge the traveler 23 from engagement with the flanged upper portion of the ring 21. However, this is not detrimental. As a matter of fact, it is desirable that the traveler 23 be removed after each package P has been built up to the desired diameter so the traveler 23 may be replaced with a new traveler in order that the traveler 23 does not become excessively worn and damage the yarn Y passing therethrough. The machine need not be stopped for this purpose. If so desired, the interrupter 132 may be threaded through a hole 146 through the lever 141, on :a higher level than the level at which the screw 132 is shown in Figures 9 and 11, so the traveler 23 will pass beneath the interrupter 132 when the same is moved into operative position. In this instance, the interrupter 132 will then engage the yarn Y above the traveler 23 to part thesame without engaging the traveler 23.

As heretofore stated, during the winding ofyarn Y on the package P (Figures 9, 10, 11 and 12), the actuator 126 occupies the' inward position shown in Figures 9 and 10. Upon the package P reaching the desired diameter and substantially filling the ring 21 or, at least, the ring holder 20, the periphery of the yarn package engages the inner surface of the actuator 126 and moves the same outwardly against the pressure of spring 130 to substantially the position shown in Figures 11 and'12. As the actuator 126 is moved outwardly, the interrupter 132 is moved inwardly to operative position. With outward movement of the actuator 126, the push-button 134 is also depressed to actuate the switch 131.

The switch 131 may be interposed in an electrical circuit to a conventional electrical stop motion 150, a warning device 151 and/or any other type of electrical device. By way of example, the switch 131 is shown in Figure 9 as being a normally open switch which, upon being closed by depression of the push-button 134 in the manner heretofore described, will energize the warning device 151, shown in the form of an incandescent lamp, and the electrical stop motion shown schematically in Figure 9.

It is contemplated that there would be a separate warning device 151 for each of a plurality of packages P so the attendant may immediately determine which yarn carrier or carriers are completely filled upon the corresponding warning signal 151 becoming energized.

On the other hand, the electrical stop motion, if used at all, need only be interposed in a circuit to the switch 131 for any one of a plurality of yarn packages P. It is further contemplated that all of the switches 131 associated with a plurality of the actuators may be arranged in series or in parallel for controlling a single stop motion, although a stop motion need not be used with the improved method of controlling the ring rail.

In the present instance, the switch 131 has a pair of conductors 155, 156 connected to opposite sides thereof,

the electrical stop motion 150 and the warning signal 151 being shown interposed in series in the conductor 156. The ends of the conductors 155, 156 remote from the switch 131 are connected to a suitable electrical connector 160 which may be connected to a suitable source of electrical energy, not shown, and the conductor 155 preferably has a manually operable master switch 162 interposed therein.

It will be noted, in the left-hand portion of Figure 8 and in Figures 9, 10, 11 and 12, that the wall of each ring holder opening 22a in the ring rail22 is provided with a relatively deep notch or recess 165 and a shallow arcuate recess 166 therein which are provided to accommodate the lower portion of the lever 141 and the leafspring member 130. In some instances, it may be desirable to omit the: lever 141 and the particular-fem of interrupter 132 shown in Figures 8 through 13 and,

in lieu thereof, the switch 131 may then be positioned so the switch arm 135 is engaged by the outer surface of the actuator 125 or by an abutment thereon, not shown.

It is thus seen that I have provided a novel method of building yarn packages in such a manner that the twister machine may operate continuously and, upon any of the bobbins B becoming completely filled, individual bobbins may be dofled and replaced with empty bobbins. Also, upon any one or more of the bobbins B becoming .filled to a predetermined diameter, the yarn is automatically parted between the source and the corresponding bobbin and/or a warning signal is also rendcred operative to identify that bobbin which is then in condition to be doffed from the machine.

In the drawings and specification there has been set forth a preferred embodiment of the invention and, although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention being defined in the claims.

I claim:

1. A builder motion for operation of the traversing rail of a twister machine comprising a pivoted builder arm, means to operatively connect said arm with said rail including a rack adjustably mounted on said arm, means for driving said rack in one direction, means for driving the rack in the other direction, means movable with said rack, and spaced means alternately engageable by said last-mentioned means for alternately efiecting operation of the means for driving said rack in one direction and of the means for driving said rack in the other direction.

2. A builder motion for operating a traversing rail of a twister machine or the like comprising a pivoted builder arm, means to operatively connect said arm with said rail including a member adjustably mounted on said arm, means for driving said member in one direction, means for driving said member in the opposite direction, a pair of spaced stationary control elements disposed adjacent said member, means movable with said member for alternately engaging said control elements, means responsive to engagement of one of said elements by said movable means for effecting operation of the means for driving said member in one direction, and means responsive to engagement of the other of said elements by said movable means for effecting operation of the means for driving said member in the other direction.

3. A builder motion for operating a traversing rail of a twister machine comprising a pivoted builder arm, means for operatively connecting said arm with said rail including a movable member adjustably mounted on said arm, a reversible pawl and ratchet mechanism mounted on said arm, means arranged to be operated by said pawl and ratchet mechanism and connected with said movable member for adjusting the movablemember first in one direction and then in the opposite direction on said arm, a pair of spaced control elements disposed adjacent said movable member, means on said movable member for alternately engaging said control elements, means responsive to engagement of one of said elements by said means on said movable member to throw said pawl and ratchet mechanism into action to adjust the movable member in said one direction, and means responsive to engagement of the other of said elements by said means on the movable member for throwing said pawl and ratchet mechanism into action to adjust the movable member in the opposite direction.

4. A builder motion for operating a traversing rail of a twister machine upon which yarn packages are wound comprising a pivoted builder arm, means to operatively connect said arm with said rail including a member adjustably mounted on said arm, means for driving said member in one direction, means for driving said member in the opposite direction, means under control of said member for alternately effecting operation of the means for driving said member in one direction and of the means for driving said member in the opposite direction, means responsive to adjustment of said member in said one direction for progressively stepping said rail in one direction and thereby increasing the length of each successive stroke of said rail in said one direction and decreasing the length of each successive stroke of said rail in the opposite direction, and means responsive to adjustment of said member in said opposite. direction for progressively stepping said rail in said opposite direction and thereby increasing the length of each successive stroke of said rail in said opposite direction and decreasing the length of each successive stroke of said rail in said one direction.

'5. A builder motion for operating a traversing rail of a twister machine comprising a pivoted builder arm, means for operatively connecting said arm with said rail including a slide adjustable substantially lengthwise of said arm, first and second pawls mounted on said arm, first and second ratchet wheels corresponding to said first and second pawls and being arranged to be operated by said first and second pawls and connected with said slide for adjusting the slide in one direction upon the first pawl engaging the first ratchet wheel and to adjust the slide in the opposite direction when the second pawl is in engagement with the second ratchet wheel, first and second spaced control elements disposed adjacent and alternately engageable by said slide, means responsive to engagement of one ofsaid elements by said slide for moving the first pawl into engagement with the first ratchet wheel and moving the second pawl out of engagement with the second wheel, and means responsive to engagement of the other of said elements by said slide for moving the second pawl into engagement with the second ratchet wheel and moving the first pawl out of engagement with the first ratchet wheel.

6. In a builder motion for operating a traversing rail of a twister machine or the like having a pivoted builder arm, a movable member carried by said arm and operatively connected with said rail, a shaft journaled in said arm, a worm fixed on said shaft, and said movable memsaid first element by said movable means for throwing said first pawl into engagement with the first ratchet wheel for driving the shaft and worm in one direction, said movable means being engageable with the second control element upon movement a predetermined distance in said one direction, and means responsive to engagement of said movable means with said second control element for throwing the second pawl into engagement with the second ratchet wheel to efiect rotation to the shaft and worm in the opposite direction and to thereby impart movement to the movable member in the opposite direction.

7. A structure according to claim 6 wherein said elements are adjustable relative to said arm.

' 8. A structure according to claim 6 wherein said first and second control elements comprise respective first and second switches and wherein said means responsive to engagement of the movable means with said first control element includes a first electro-magnetic device interposed in a circuit with said first switch and coupled to said first ratchet pawl and wherein said means responsive to engagement of said movable means with said device interposed in an electrical circuit with said second switch and being coupled to said second ratchet pawl.

9. A structure according to claim 6 including means to relatively adjust said switches relative to said arm to vary the extent of the movements imparted to said movable member.

10. In a builder motion for operating a traversing rail of a twister machine or the like comprising a pivoted builder arm, means for operatively connecting said arm with said rail including a member adjustable relative to said arm to change the length of traverse of said rail, and a rotary element for producing adjusting movements of said member relative to said arm in opposite directions; the combination of mechanism operated by the motion of said arm for rotating said element step-by-step, first in one direction and then in the opposite direction, said mechanism including a pair of ratchet wheels having oppositely-facing teeth thereon, a pair of ratchet pawls corresponding to the pair of ratchet wheels, means movable with said adjustable member, a pair of spaced control elements alternately engageable by said movable means for determining the extent of movements imparted to said member, means responsive to engagement of said movable means with one of said control elements for shifting one of said pawls into engagement with the corresponding ratchet wheel while shifting the other pawl out of engagement with its corresponding ratchet wheel, and means responsive to engagement of said movable means with the other of said control elements for shifting said other of the pawls into engagement with its correspond ing ratchet wheel and for shifting said one of the pawls out of engagement with its corresponding ratchet wheel.

11. A structure according to claim 10 wherein each of said control elements comprises a normally open switch and the two responsive means each comprises a solenoid coupled to the corresponding ratchet pawl, and said solenoids being arranged in a circuit in parallel with the corresponding switches.

12. A builder motion for operating a traversing rail on a twister machine or the like comprising a pivoted builder arm, means for operatively connecting said arm with said rail including a movable member adjustable on said arm, a reversible pawl and ratchet mechanism mounted on said arm, means arranged to be operated by said pawl and ratchet mechanism and connected with said movable member for adjusting the movable member first in one direction and then in the opposite direction on said arm, electro-magnetically actuated means mounted on said arm and operable to control the operation of said pawl and ratchet mechanism, a pair of spaced normally open switches arranged in a circuit parallel with said electromagnetically actuated means and disposed adjacent said movable member, means on said movable member for engaging one of said switches upon movement of said movable member a predetermined distance in one direction and for engaging the other of said switches upon movement of said movable member a predetermined distance in the other direction relative to said arm, and said electro-magnetically actuated means being so arranged as to control the operation of said pawl and ratchet mechanism for adjusting the movable member in one direction upon said one of said switches being engaged by the means on said movable member and being arranged to control operation of said pawl and ratchet mechanism to adjust the movable member in the other direction upon the other of said switches being momentarily engaged by said means on said movable member.

Reterences Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,984,641 Hargreaves Dec. 18, 1934 2,155,461 Addy et al Apr. 25, 1939 2,353,330 Haggerty July 11, 1944 2,764,363 Stammwitz Sept. 25, 1956 

